Parachute for helicopters.



B. BBRLINBR.

PAHACHUTE FOB. HELICOPTERS. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 6, 1911. 1 ,1 1 Q1 3 ga Patented Sept. 8, 1914,

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

WITNESSES Ma y WW E. BERLINER.

PABACHUTB FOB HELICOPTERS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6; 1911.

1 9 1 1 G, 1 80, Patented Sept 8, 1914 2 SHBETS-EHEET 2.

. m mxM UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

EMILE Bnnmunn' or WASHINGTON, nrsrnror or contra/ism.

PARAGHUTE FOR HELICOPTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 19114.

Original application filed July 11, 1910, Serial No. 571.448. Divided and this application filed October 6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILE BERLINER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vlashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parachutes for Helicopters, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in parachutes, or more especially to parachutes which are usedin con nection with helicopters, although it will be obviousfrom certain aspects of the invention, that the parachute may be used in connection with balloons or other flying apparatus. l

An obj ect of the invention is to provide'a parachute which is shaped so that a maximum retarding force is obtained for a given area of surface, and without in any way disturbing or destroying the equilibrium of the parachute. a

In the drawings whic show by way of illustration one BHIbOdlflll] of the invention,Figure 1 illustrates a helicopter having my improved parachute attached thereto, said view being a vertical sectional view through the parachute, and showing in dot ted lines the parachute closed; and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the parachute extended.

As herein illustrated, the helicopter consists of platform 1 from which rise sup-- ports 2, which are connected at their upper end to a ring 3. The platform, supports and ring constitute the framework of the helicopter.

A suitable supporting shaft is mounted in hearings in the frame, and is driven from a motor mounted on the platform. Said shaft extends above the ring 3, and carries a propeller 4. laid shaft is preferably hollow, and a second shaft extends through the hollow shaft and carries a propeller 5.

The construction of the propellers and the mechanism for operating the same is ,more fully shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 571,448, filed July 11th, 1910, of which this application is a division.

The helicopter is provided with a para chute 6, which consists of the usual ribs which are hinged to the ring 3 at their Serial No. 653,216.

upper ends, and flexible braces 8 serve to limit the opening of the parachute. The parachute, as herein shown, is attached at a point directly below the propellers, and when in closed position the entire frame of the helicopter is inclosed within the parachute.

The operator stands on the platform 1 and is covered by the parachute. In order to provide means for observation, I have provided certain of the panels of the parachute with windows 9. These windows may be of any desired number, and the panel of theparachute containing the window may, if desired, be made rigid, so as to hold the window in proper position relative to the operator.

The shape of my parachute is one of the essential features of the invention. Said parachute when open has the central portion thereof shaped like a very flat code, or, for want of a better description, may be said to be shaped like a Japanese. parasol. The

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outer edges of the parachute are curved upwardly, as at 10, forming a circumferential trough 11. Said circumferential trough in the descent of the parachute will cause a partial vacuum to be formed directly above the outer edge of the parachute, which will g eatly. increase the supporting lift and the stability of the same.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made, without in any way leparting from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, or sacrificing the principles thereof.

l'l hile I have shown the parachute as at tachcd to a helicopter, it will be obvious that said parachute may be used independently of the helicopter, as in connection with balloons or other flying apparatus. I have also shown the parachute as attached to a point directly beneath the propeller blades It will be obvious that the par chute may be attached to the frame of the helicopter at other points below the propeller blades.

Having thus described my invention, what i. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v V 1. A parachute shaped like a Japanese 'parasol, with the edges thereof curved upwardly. 4 2. A parachute having the edges thereof curved upwardly thereby forming a circumweugh, 'whieiie VHCHLICH at the outer edges m; during; the deseen'k v 1 3. A. pamehnie having a central c 5 shaped portion the lower edges 01% are curved upwardly, farming a 0111111 fer-enbizd tmugh which causes a parwfl vacuum the outer edge of the pamehuiie during the descent thereof. 19 CE he combination with a helioepter, 0f a, parachute therefor attached to the hell?" :Ffere eepter a point above the opemtolg said par: ,hntl when closed. hmmg' n s lower edges extemlmg to :1 point below LI 'le 131 form of H10 helicopter, and said panwhute 1; having windows formed t1;

testi1n ;11y whereof I :ufix my Eignw tux-e, in presence of'tvro Witnesses.

EMi LE BEHLINER Came-e e13 this patent maybe obtained for the Commissioner of Patents, 

